Effect of plant density and drought stress on seed productivity and biochemical composition of faba bean plants

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at the Research and Experiment Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, Moshtohor, Benha University, Qaluibia Governorate, Egypt, during two growing winter seasons (2021-2022)&(2022-2023) to investigate the effect of four different water regimes, namely one, two and three irrigations, as well as conventional irrigations (four regular consecutive irrigations as a controller) applied at all vegetative and reproductive stages, and three different plant densities (20, 30 and 40 kg/ kg/fed), of faba bean (Cv. Marriott 2). The collected results demonstrated that plant density had a significant impact on various features,throughout the two winter growing seasons(2021/22 , 2022/23).The contents of nitrogen, crude protein, phosphorus, potassium, carbohydrates contents and the total seed storage protein dramatically increased when plant density was increased except calcium content. During the winter growing season(2021/22), all traits aside from the potassium and calcium contents were significantly impacted by interactions. Overall, the faba bean (Cv. Marriott 2) was presented in a respectable manner, and the findings demonstrated that different plant densities and water regimes had different chemical compositions. Crop composition may be slightly delayed by a water shortage (three irrigation treatments) of up to 75% of the water holding capacity; however, this does not limit the crop's ability to react to irregularities in its chemical composition. Additionally, in every attribute evaluated, faba beans performed well at the most advantageous plant density of 30 kg/fed+ three irrigations.